U.S. patent number 11,067,195 [Application Number 16/832,448] was granted by the patent office on 2021-07-20 for actuator, valve device, and fluid control apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FUJIKIN INCORPORATED. The grantee listed for this patent is FUJIKIN INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Nobuo Nakamura, Tomohiro Nakata, Masahiko Nakazawa, Tsutomu Shinohara.
United States Patent |
11,067,195 |
Nakazawa , et al. |
July 20, 2021 |
Actuator, valve device, and fluid control apparatus
Abstract
An actuator includes: a casing; a reciprocating member provided
in the casing to be reciprocatable; a drive part provided in the
casing to drive the reciprocating member; a booster mechanism which
is configured to amplify a drive force applied by the drive part to
the reciprocating member; and a moving member which is configured
to move on receiving the force amplified by the booster mechanism.
The booster mechanism includes a plurality of levers which are
arranged in a circumferential direction of the moving member. Each
of the levers has an effort portion which is configured to receive
the force from the reciprocating member, a fulcrum portion which is
configured to come into contact with the casing to serve as a
center of a revolution of the lever, and a load portion which is
configured to transmit the force to the moving member.
Inventors: |
Nakazawa; Masahiko (Osaka,
JP), Nakamura; Nobuo (Osaka, JP), Nakata;
Tomohiro (Osaka, JP), Shinohara; Tsutomu (Osaka,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJIKIN INCORPORATED |
Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
FUJIKIN INCORPORATED (Osaka,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
1000005690894 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/832,448 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200248833 A1 |
Aug 6, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/JP2018/035379 |
Sep 25, 2018 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 28, 2017 [JP] |
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JP2017-188104 |
Sep 28, 2017 [JP] |
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JP2017-188116 |
Nov 29, 2017 [JP] |
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JP2017-228568 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
31/1221 (20130101); F16K 31/163 (20130101); F16K
31/44 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
31/44 (20060101); F16K 31/163 (20060101); F16K
31/122 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2003156167 |
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May 2003 |
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JP |
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2012211682 |
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Nov 2012 |
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JP |
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WO-2018110132 |
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Jun 2018 |
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WO |
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Other References
International Search Report for International Application
PCT/2018/035379, dated Dec. 18, 2018. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Venkatesan; Umashankar
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation application of International
Application No. PCT/JP2018/035379, filed Sep. 25, 2018, which
claims priority to Japanese Patent Applications No. 2017-188104,
filed Sep. 28, 2017, No. 2017-188116, filed Sep. 28, 2017, and No.
2017-228568, filed Nov. 29, 2017. The contents of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An actuator comprising: a casing; a reciprocating member
provided in the casing to be reciprocatable; a drive part provided
in the casing to drive the reciprocating member; a booster
mechanism which is configured to amplify a drive force applied by
the drive part to the reciprocating member; and a moving member
which is configured to move on receiving the force amplified by the
booster mechanism, wherein the booster mechanism includes a
plurality of levers which are arranged in a circumferential
direction of the moving member and are configured to be not
deformed when the drive force is amplified, each of the levers has
an effort portion which is configured to receive the force from the
reciprocating member, a fulcrum portion which is configured to come
into contact with the casing to serve as a center of a revolution
of the lever, and a load portion which is configured to transmit
the force to the moving member, the plurality of levers include a
plurality of first levers, the booster mechanism includes: a first
boosting portion which is configured to boost the drive force
applied by the drive part to the reciprocating member; and a first
transmission portion which is configured to transmit the force
boosted by the first boosting portion, the first boosting portion
included the plurality of first levers arranged in a
circumferential direction of the reciprocating member, the first
transmission portion includes a plurality of first transmission
members provided correspondingly to the plurality of first levers,
each of the first levers has an effort portion which is configured
to receive the force from the reciprocating member, a fulcrum
portion which is configured to come into contact with the casing to
serve as a center of a revolution of the first lever, and a load
portion which is configured to transmit the force to the first
transmission member; and each of the first transmission members has
a first contact portion which is configured to come into line
contact with the load portion of the first lever.
2. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the effort portion
corresponds to an inner end portion of each of the levers, the
fulcrum portion corresponds to an outer end portion of each of the
lever, and the load portion is located between the inner end
portion and the outer end portion.
3. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the booster mechanism
includes a retainer which holds the plurality of levers.
4. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
levers further include a plurality of second levers, the booster
mechanism further includes: a second boosting portion which is
configured to amplify the force transmitted by the first
transmission portion; and a second transmission portion which is
configured to transmit the force amplified by the second boosting
portion to the moving member, the second boosting portion includes
the plurality of second levers provided correspondingly to the
first transmission members, the second transmission portion
includes a plurality of second transmission members provided
correspondingly to the plurality of second levers, each of the
second levers has an effort portion which is configured to receive
the force from the first transmission portion, a fulcrum portion
which is configured to come into contact with the casing to serve
as a center of a revolution of the second lever, and a load portion
which is configured to transmit the force to the second
transmission member, each of the first transmission members has a
second contact portion which is configured to come into line
contact with the effort portion of the second lever, and each of
the second transmission members has a third contact portion which
is configured to come into line contact with the load portion of
the second lever.
5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the drive part
includes: a piston which is configured to be driven by a drive
fluid supplied from an outside and connected to the reciprocating
member; and a biasing portion which is configured to bias the
reciprocating member toward the moving member.
6. A valve device comprising: a body in which a fluid passage is
formed; a valve body which is configured to open and close the
fluid passage; a casing which is connected to the body; a
reciprocating member provided in the casing to be reciprocatable; a
drive part provided in the casing to drive the reciprocating
member; a booster mechanism which is configured to amplify a drive
force applied by the drive part to the reciprocating member; and a
moving member which is configured to move closer to and away from
the body to cause the valve body to open and close the fluid
passage, and is configured to move on receiving the force amplified
by the booster mechanism, wherein the booster mechanism includes a
plurality of levers which are arranged in a circumferential
direction of the moving member and are configured to be not
deformed when the drive force is amplified, each of the levers has
an effort portion which is configured to receive the force from the
reciprocating member, a fulcrum portion which is configured to come
into contact with the casing to serve as a center of a revolution
of the lever, and a load portion which is configured to transmit
the force to the moving member, the plurality of levers include a
plurality of first levers, the booster mechanism includes: a first
boosting portion which is configured to boost the drive force
applied by the drive part to the reciprocating member; and a first
transmission portion which is configured to transmit the force
boosted by the first boosting portion, the first boosting portion
included the plurality of first levers arranged in a
circumferential direction of the reciprocating member, the first
transmission portion includes a plurality of first transmission
members provided correspondingly to the plurality of first levers,
each of the first levers has an effort portion which is configured
to receive the force from the reciprocating member, a fulcrum
portion which is configured to come into contact with the casing to
serve as a center of a revolution of the first lever, and a load
portion which is configured to transmit the force to the first
transmission member; and each of the first transmission members has
a first contact portion which is configured to come into line
contact with the load portion of the first lever.
7. The valve device according to wherein the plurality of levers
further include a plurality of second levers, the booster mechanism
further includes: a second boosting portion which is configured to
amplify the force transmitted by the first transmission portion;
and a second transmission portion which is configured to transmit
the force amplified by the second boosting portion to the moving
member, the second boosting portion includes the plurality of
second levers provided correspondingly to the first transmission
members, the second transmission portion includes a plurality of
second transmission members provided correspondingly to the
plurality of second levers, each of the second levers has an effort
portion which is configured to receive the force from the first
transmission portion, a fulcrum portion which is configured to come
into contact with the casing to serve as a center of a revolution
of the second lever, and a load portion which is configured to
transmit the force to the second transmission member, each of the
first transmission members has a second contact portion which is
configured to come into line contact with the effort portion of the
second lever, and each of the second transmission members has a
third contact portion which is configured to come into line contact
with the load portion of the second lever.
8. A fluid control apparatus comprising a plurality of fluid
controllers, at least one of the plurality of fluid controllers
being the valve device according to claim 6.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an actuator, a valve device, and
a fluid control apparatus which are used for a fluid pipeline in a
semiconductor manufacturing device or the like.
BACKGROUND
There is proposed a valve device including a booster mechanism
which amplifies a force by means of a flexible biasing member using
the principle of leverage (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,259).
SUMMARY
However, in the booster mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,059,259, a distortion develops in the biasing member.
Consequently, the booster mechanism has low durability and cannot
be used in a valve device which is opened/closed a large number of
times.
It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an
actuator, a valve device, and a fluid control apparatus each
including a booster mechanism having excellent durability.
An actuator in accordance with one or more embodiments includes: a
casing; a reciprocating member provided in the casing to be
reciprocatable; a drive part provided in the casing to drive the
reciprocating member; a booster mechanism which is configured to
amplify a drive force applied by the drive part to the
reciprocating member; and a moving member which is configured to
move on receiving the force amplified by the booster mechanism. The
booster mechanism includes a plurality of levers which are arranged
in a circumferential direction of the moving member and are
configured to be not deformed when the drive force is amplified.
Each of the levers has an effort portion which is configured to
receive the force from the reciprocating member, a fulcrum portion
which is configured to come into contact with the casing to serve
as a center of a revolution of the lever, and a load portion which
is configured to transmit the force to the moving member.
A valve device in accordance with one or more embodiments includes:
a body in which a fluid passage is formed; a valve body which is
configured to open and close the fluid passage; a casing which is
connected to the body; a reciprocating member provided in the
casing to be reciprocatable; a drive part provided in the casing to
drive the reciprocating member; a booster mechanism which is
configured to amplify a drive force applied by the drive part to
the reciprocating member; and a moving member which is configured
to move closer to and away from the body to cause the valve body to
open and close the fluid passage, and is configured to move on
receiving the force amplified by the booster mechanism. The booster
mechanism includes a plurality of levers which are arranged in a
circumferential direction of the moving member and are configured
to be not deformed when the drive force is amplified. Each of the
levers has an effort portion which is configured to receive the
force from the reciprocating member, a fulcrum portion which is
configured to come into contact with the casing to serve as a
center of a revolution of the lever, and a load portion which is
configured to transmit the force to the moving member.
A fluid control apparatus in accordance with one or more
embodiments includes a plurality of fluid controllers. At least one
of the plurality of fluid controllers is the valve device described
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a valve
device in a closed state according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of
a booster mechanism of the valve device according to the first
embodiment;
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view illustrating a state in
which first levers (second levers) and a first retainer (second
retainer) are assembled, while FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective
view of the first retainer (second retainer);
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the booster mechanism
when the valve device according to the first embodiment is in the
closed state;
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the booster mechanism
when the valve device according to the first embodiment is in an
open state;
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a valve device in a
closed state according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of
a booster mechanism of the valve device according to the second
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the
booster mechanism and a moving portion are assembled;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the booster mechanism and
the moving portion;
FIG. 10A is a side view of each of the first levers (second
levers), FIG. 10B is a side view of each of first transmission
members, and FIG. 10C is a side view of each of second transmission
members;
FIG. 11A is a plan view of the booster mechanism and the moving
portion when the valve device according to the second embodiment is
in the closed state, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view along a
line XI-XI in FIG. 11A;
FIG. 12A is a plan view of the booster mechanism and the moving
portion when the valve device according to the second embodiment is
in the open state, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view along a
line XII-XII in FIG. 12A; and
FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic diagram of a semiconductor
manufacturing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, a description will be given of an
actuator, a valve device, and a fluid control apparatus each
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
A description will be given of the actuator and the valve device
each according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a valve
device 1 in a closed state in the first embodiment. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, the valve device 1 is a diaphragm valve for use in a gas
line (e.g., on a most upstream side of the gas line) including a
plurality of fluid controllers of a fluid control apparatus 55 (see
FIG. 13).
The valve device 1 includes a body portion 2 and an actuator 3.
Note that the description will be given below on the assumption
that the actuator 3 is on an upper side of the valve device 1,
while the body portion 2 is on a lower side of the valve device
1.
The body portion 2 includes a body 5 and a diaphragm 11.
In the body 5, a cylindrical valve chamber 5a, and an inflow path
5b and an outflow path 5c each communicating with the valve chamber
5a are formed. Around a peripheral edge (opening of the inflow path
5b) of a portion of the body 5 in which the inflow path 5b and the
valve chamber 5a communicate with each other, an annular valve seat
5D is provided to protrude toward a casing 10. The valve seat 5D is
formed of the same metal material as that forming the body 5. The
body 5 has a cylindrical portion 5E provided so as to extend
upwardly, having a cylindrical shape, and having an internal thread
portion formed in an inner peripheral portion thereof.
The diaphragm 11 includes a plurality of diaphragms, has an outer
peripheral edge portion thereof pressed by an annular retaining
adapter 12, and is held with respect to the body 5. The diaphragm
11 as a valve body is in the form of a spherical shell and has an
upwardly protruding arc shape in a natural state. The diaphragm 11
moves away from and comes into contact with the valve seat 5D to
provide or cut off communication between the inflow path 5b and the
outflow path 5c. When the valve device 1 is in the closed state,
the diaphragm 11 comes into contact with the valve seat 5D to cut
off the communication between the inflow path 5b and the outflow
path 5c. When the valve device 1 is in an open state, the diaphragm
11 moves away from the valve seat 5D to provide the communication
between the inflow path 5b and the outflow path 5c.
The actuator 3 includes the casing 10, the retaining adapter 12, a
diaphragm retainer 13, a rod 14, a moving member 15, a drive part
20, and first to fourth O-rings 4A to 4D.
The casing 10 includes a bonnet 16, an intermediate casing 17, an
actuator cap 18, and a support ring 19.
The bonnet 16 has a generally cylindrical shape and has an external
thread portion formed on an outer periphery of a lower end portion
thereof. The external thread portions are screwed into the
cylindrical portion 5E of the body 5 to fix the bonnet 16 to the
body 5. In and around an inner periphery of an upper end portion of
the bonnet 16, an internal thread portion is formed.
The intermediate casing 17 has a generally cylindrical shape and
has an upper portion 17A and a lower portion 17B. In the upper
portion 17A, a through hole 17c is formed while, in the lower
portion 17B, a containing hole 17d having an inner diameter larger
than that of the through hole 17c is formed. Around an outer
periphery of the lower portion 17B, a protruding portion 17E is
provided to protrude outwardly. In and around an outer peripheral
surface of the lower portion 17B which is located above and below
the protruding portion 17E, respective external thread portions are
formed. The external thread portion below the protruding portion
17E is screwed into the internal thread portion in the upper end
portion of the bonnet 16 to fix the intermediate casing 17 to the
bonnet 16. A lower end of the lower portion 17B has an annular
lower surface 17F. The lower surface 17F is configured such that an
inner diameter side thereof is located inward of an inner
peripheral surface of the support ring 19 described later. In and
around an outer periphery of the upper portion 17A, the first
O-ring 4A is provided to prevent a drive fluid from leaking out of
a fluid inlet chamber 21d described later.
The actuator cap 18 has a generally cylindrical shape and has an
internal thread portion provided on an inner periphery of a lower
end portion. The internal thread portion is screwed with the
external thread portion above the protruding portion 17E of the
intermediate casing 17 to fix the actuator cap 18 to the
intermediate casing 17. In the actuator cap 18, a fluid inflow path
18a through which the drive fluid flows in is formed. In an upper
end portion of the fluid inflow path 18a, a counter-screw portion
18b into which a pipe joint not shown is to be screwed is
formed.
The support ring 19 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed on a
stepped portion 16A provided around an inner periphery of the
bonnet 16. An upper end of the support ring 19 is in contact with
the lower surface 17F of the intermediate casing 17, while a lower
end of the support ring 19 is in contact with the stepped portion
16A provided around the inner periphery of the bonnet 16. As a
result, the support ring 19 is vertically unmovable relative to the
bonnet 16. In addition, around an inner periphery of the support
ring 19, a protruding portion 19A is provided to protrude
inwardly.
The diaphragm retainer 13 is provided over the diaphragm 11 and
supported by the retaining adapter 12 to be vertically movable and
capable of pushing a center portion of the diaphragm 11.
The rod 14 is provided over the diaphragm retainer 13 and supported
by the retaining adapter 12 to be vertically movable and capable of
pushing the diaphragm retainer 13.
The moving member 15 is supported in a lower end portion of the
bonnet 16 to be vertically movable. The moving member 15 has a
cylindrical portion 15A and a flange portion 15B. The cylindrical
portion 15A is capable of pushing the rod 14. The flange portion
15B is provided over an upper portion of the cylindrical portion
15A so as to protrude outwardly. In a center portion of an upper
surface 15C of the flange portion 15B, a recessed portion 15d is
formed. An outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 15B is
provided with an annular first projecting portion 15E projecting
upwardly.
The drive part 20 includes a piston 21, a spring bearing member 22,
two coil springs 23, and a booster mechanism 30. The drive part 20
is a drive part of a pneumatic drive type. Note that the piston 21
and the two coil springs 23 correspond to a drive part, while the
spring bearing member 22 corresponds to a reciprocating member.
The piston 21 includes a base portion 21A having a generally disc
shape, a first upwardly extending portion 21B extending upwardly
from a center portion of the base portion 21A, and a first
downwardly extending portion 21C extending downwardly from the
center portion of the base portion 21A.
The base portion 21A is located over the upper portion 17A of the
intermediate casing 17 in the actuator cap 18. In and around an
outer peripheral edge of the base portion 21A, the second O-ring 4B
is provided. The second O-ring 4B inhibits radial movement of the
base portion 21A during vertical movement of the base portion 21A.
A lower surface of the base portion 21A and an upper surface of the
upper portion 17A of the intermediate casing 17 form the fluid
inlet chamber 21d. The second O-ring 4B prevents the drive fluid
from leaking out of the fluid inlet chamber 21d.
An upper portion of the first upwardly extending portion 21B is
inserted in the fluid inflow path 18a. The third O-ring 4C inhibits
radial movement of the first upwardly extending portion 21B during
vertical movement of the first upwardly extending portion 21B. The
third O-ring 4C also prevents the drive fluid from leaking to the
outside. The piston 21 has a fluid inlet path 21e formed to extend
from an upper end of the first upwardly extending portion 21B to
the lower surface of the base portion 21A and communicate with the
fluid inlet chamber 21d.
The first downwardly extending portion 21C extends through the
through hole 17c. The fourth O-ring 4D inhibits radial movement of
the first downwardly extending portion 21C during vertical movement
of the first downwardly extending portion 21C. The fourth O-ring 4D
prevents the drive fluid from leaking out of the fluid inlet
chamber 21d. In and around an outer periphery of a lower end
portion of the first downwardly extending portion 21C, an external
thread portion is formed.
The spring bearing member 22 is located under the piston 21 and
includes a spring bearing portion 22A, a second upwardly extending
portion 22B, and a second downwardly extending portion 22C. The
spring bearing member 22 is provided to be capable of vertically
reciprocating together with the piston 21 in the casing 10.
The spring bearing portion 22A includes a disc-shaped main body
portion 22D, a disc-shaped upwardly protruding portion 22E
protruding upwardly from an upper surface of the main body portion
22D, and a disc-shaped downwardly protruding portion 22F protruding
downwardly from a lower surface of the main body portion 22D. The
main body portion 22D is located in the intermediate casing 17. The
main body portion 22D is configured to have a diameter smaller than
the inner diameter of the containing hole 17d of the intermediate
casing 17.
The second upwardly extending portion 22B has a bottomed
cylindrical shape and is provided so as to extend upwardly from a
center portion of the upwardly protruding portion 22E. In and
around an inner peripheral surface of the second upwardly extending
portion 22B, an internal thread portion is formed to be screwed
with the external thread portion of the first downwardly extending
portion 21C. Thus, the piston 21 and the spring bearing member 22
are integrally configured.
The second downwardly extending portion 22C is in the form a
regular hexagonal prism and is provided so as to extend downwardly
from a center portion of the downwardly protruding portion 22F. The
second downwardly extending portion 22C is configured such that a
lower end thereof is located in the recessed portion 15d of the
moving member 15.
The two coil springs 23 are disposed in the containing hole 17d of
the intermediate casing 17 to be located between a lower surface of
the upper portion 17A and respective upper surfaces of the main
body portion 22D and the upwardly protruding portion 22E of the
spring bearing portion 22A. The two coil springs 23 constantly bias
the spring bearing member 22 downwardly and thereby constantly bias
the piston 21 downwardly.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of
the booster mechanism 30. FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view
illustrating a state in which first levers 31 (second levers 34)
and a first retainer 32 (second retainer 35) are assembled, while
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the first retainer 32
(second retainer 35).
The booster mechanism 30 includes the six first levers 31, the
first retainer 32, a transmission member 33, the six second levers
34, and the second retainer 35. The six first levers 31 correspond
to a first lever portion, while the six second levers 34 correspond
to a second lever portion.
The six first levers 31 are independent of each other, have the
same shape, and are equidistantly arranged around the second
downwardly extending portion 22C along a circumferential direction
of the actuator 3. Each of the first levers 31 is formed of a metal
(e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like and has
hardness which keeps the first lever 31 from being deformed
(distorted) during an operation of opening/closing the valve device
1 described later. In other words, each of the first levers 31
functions as a rigid body against the operation of opening/closing
the valve device 1. Each of the first levers 31 includes an inner
portion 31A and an outer portion 31B and has a shape tapered from
the outer portion 31B toward the inner portion 31A. The outer
portion 31B is connected to the inner portion 31A so as to be bent
upwardly. The inner portion 31A has an engagement hole 31c formed
therein.
The first levers 31 are disposed such that outer end portions 31D
thereof come into contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17 and inner end portions 31E thereof face
individual surfaces of the regular hexagonal prism of the second
downwardly extending portion 22C and come into contact with a lower
surface 22G of the downwardly protruding portion 22F.
The first retainer 32 is formed of a flexible material such as
rubber, has a substantially hexagonal shape in plan view, and has a
regular hexagonal insertion hole 32a formed therein. The first
retainer 32 includes an annular portion 32B, six engagement
projections 32C, and six support projections 32D.
Each of the six engagement projections 32C has a substantially
cylindrical shape. The six engagement projections 32C are arranged
over the annular portion 32B so as to be equidistant from each
other in the circumferential direction of the actuator 3.
Each of the six support projections 32D is provided between the
engagement projections 32C adjacent to each other and has a shape
tapered toward a center of the annular portion 32B in plan
view.
Into the engagement holes 31c of the inner portions 31A of the
individual first levers 31, the engagement projections 32C of the
first retainer 32 are inserted to allow the first levers 31 to be
held by the first retainer 32. Each of the first levers 31 is
disposed between the support projections 32D adjacent to each other
to have rotation thereof suppressed.
Into the regular hexagonal insertion hole 32a of the annular
portion 32B, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in the
form of the regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the
insertion hole 32a has a size slightly larger than that of an outer
shape of the second downwardly extending portion 22C, the rotation
of the first retainer 32 relative to the second downwardly
extending portion 22C is suppressed.
The transmission member 33 is located under the first levers 31 and
the first retainer 32, has an annular shape, and has a regular
hexagonal insertion hole 33a formed therein. Around an outer
peripheral edge of an upper surface 33B of the transmission member
33, an annular second projecting portion 33C is provided to
protrude upwardly. The second projecting portion 33C is in contact
with the outer portion 31B of each of the first levers 31 from
below at a position inward of the outer end portion 31D. Around an
inner peripheral edge of a lower surface 33D of the transmission
member 33, an annular third projecting portion 33E is provided to
protrude downwardly. The third projecting portion 33E is located
inward of the second projecting portion 33C. In other words, the
positional relationship of the third projecting portion 33E with
the second projecting portion 33C is the same as the positional
relationship of the inner end portion 31E of each of the first
levers 31 with the outer portion 31B thereof. In the upper surface
33B of the transmission member 33, a recessed portion 33f is formed
inwardly of the second projecting portion 33C.
Into the regular hexagonal insertion hole 33a of the transmission
member 33, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in the form
of the regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the insertion
hole 33a has a size slightly larger than that of the outer shape of
the second downwardly extending portion 22C, the rotation of the
transmission member 33 relative to the second downwardly extending
portion 22C is suppressed.
The six second levers 34 and the second retainer 35 are located
under the transmission member 33 and have the same
configurations/shapes as those of the six first levers 31 and the
first retainer 32.
Specifically, each of the second levers 34 is made of a metal
(e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like, has
hardness which keeps the second lever 34 from being deformed
(distorted) during the operation of opening/closing of the valve
device 1 described later, and includes an inner portion 34A having
an engagement hole 34c formed therein, and an outer portion 34B.
The second levers 34 are disposed such that outer end portions 34D
thereof come into contact with a lower surface 19B of the
protruding portion 19A of the support ring 19 and inner end
portions 34E thereof face the individual surfaces of the regular
hexagonal prism of the second downwardly extending portion 22C and
come into contact with the third projecting portion 33E.
The second retainer 35 has a regular hexagonal insertion hole 35a
formed therein. The second retainer 35 has an annular portion 35B,
six engagement projections 35C, and six support projections
35D.
Into the engagement holes 34c of the inner portions 34A of the
individual second levers 34, the engagement projections 35C of the
second retainer 35 are inserted to allow the second levers 34 to be
held by the second retainer 35. Each of the second levers 34 is
disposed between the support projections 35D adjacent to each other
to have rotation thereof suppressed.
Into the regular hexagonal insertion hole 35a of the annular
portion 35B, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in the
form of the regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the
insertion hole 35a has a size slightly larger than that of the
outer shape of the second downwardly extending portion 22C, the
rotation of the second retainer 35 relative to the second
downwardly extending portion 22C is suppressed.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the valve device 1 is in a closed
state, the drive fluid has not entered the fluid inlet chamber 21d,
while the spring bearing member 22 is downwardly biased by the two
coil springs 23 to be located at a lowermost end. When the valve
device 1 shifts from the open state illustrated in FIG. 5 to the
closed state illustrated in FIG. 4, the inner end portion 31E of
each of the first levers 31 is pushed by the lower surface 22G of
the downwardly protruding portion 22F to revolve around the outer
end portion 31D in contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17. As a result, the second projecting portion
33C of the transmission member 33 in contact with the first levers
31 from below is downwardly pushed to downwardly move the
transmission member 33.
As a result of the downward movement of the transmission member 33,
the inner end portion 34E of each of the second levers 34 is pushed
by the third projecting portion 33E of the transmission member 33
to come into contact with the lower surface 19B of the protruding
portion 19A of the support ring 19 to revolve around the outer end
portion 34D. As a result, the first projecting portion 15E of the
moving member 15 in contact with the second lever 34 from below is
downwardly pushed to downwardly move the moving member 15.
As a result of the downward pushing of the rod 14 by the moving
member 15 and the downward pushing of the diaphragm retainer 13 by
the rod 14, the diaphragm 11 is pushed to come into contact with
the valve seat 5D and cut off the communication between the inflow
path 5b and the outflow path 5c.
In the first embodiment, the two coil springs 23 are configured
such that a force (drive force) to push the spring bearing portion
22A of the spring bearing member 22 is amplified by the booster
mechanism 30 to push the moving member 15. Specifically, the force
is amplified by the principle of leverage using a contact portion
A1 of the outer end portion 31D of each of the first levers 31 in
contact with the lower surface 17F of the intermediate casing 17 as
a fulcrum point, using a contact portion B1 of the inner end
portion 31E of the first lever 31 in contact with the lower surface
22G of the downwardly protruding portion 22F as an effort point,
and using a contact portion C1 of the outer portion 31B of the
first lever 31 in contact with the second projecting portion 33C of
the transmission member 33 as a load point, and the amplified force
is transmitted to the transmission member 33. Thus, the inner end
portion 31E of the first lever 31 corresponds to an effort portion,
the outer end portion 31D of the first lever 31 corresponds to a
fulcrum portion, and the portion of the outer portion 31B of the
first lever 31 in contact with the second projecting portion 33C
corresponds to a load portion. The second projecting portion 33C
corresponds to a force receiving portion.
The force is further amplified by the principle of leverage using a
contact portion A2 of the outer end portion 34D of each of the
second levers 34 in contact with the lower surface 19B of the
protruding portion 19A of the support ring 19 as a fulcrum point,
using a contact portion B2 of the inner end portion 34E of the
second lever 34 in contact with the third projecting portion 33E of
the transmission member 33 as an effort point, and using a contact
portion C2 of the inner portion 34A of the second lever 34 in
contact with the first projecting portion 15E of the moving member
15 as a load point, and the amplified force is transmitted to the
moving member 15. Note that the inner end portion 34E of the second
lever 34 corresponds to an effort portion, the outer end portion
34D of the second lever 34 corresponds to a fulcrum portion, and
the portion of the inner portion 34A of the second lever 34 in
contact with the first projecting portion 15E corresponds to a load
portion. The third projecting portion 33E corresponds to a
transmission portion.
Thus, the two coil springs 23 are configured such that the biasing
force thereof is amplified by the booster mechanism 30 to push the
moving member 15. Accordingly, even when the biasing force of the
two coil springs 23 is small, it is possible to push the diaphragm
11 against the pressure of the fluid flowing in the inflow path 5b
and cut off the communication between the inflow path 5b and the
outflow path 5c.
In addition, as a result of introduction of the drive fluid into
the fluid inlet chamber 21d via the fluid inflow path 18a and the
fluid inlet path 21e, an upward force resulting from an air
pressure acts on the piston 21 and on the spring bearing member 22.
This force is increased to be larger than the biasing force of the
two coil springs 23 to upwardly move the piston 21 and the spring
bearing member 22. As a result, there is no force pushing the
moving member 15, and consequently the diaphragm 11 is lifted by
the pressure of the fluid flowing in the inflow path 5b and a
restorative force of the diaphragm 11 to move away from the valve
seat 5D and open the valve.
At this time, as a result of the lifting of the diaphragm 11, the
diaphragm retainer 13 and the rod 14 are lifted, and the moving
member 15 is also lifted. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5,
each of the second levers 34 is pushed upward by the first
projecting portion 15E of the moving member 15 to revolve around
the outer end portions 34D thereof, and the inner end portion 34E
is lifted. As a result, the third projecting portion 33E of the
transmission member 33 is pushed upward by the inner end portion
34E of the second lever 34, and each of the first levers 31 is
pushed upward by the second projecting portion 33C of the
transmission member 33 to revolve around the outer end portion 31D
thereof, and the inner end portion 31E is lifted.
Note that the air pressure required to open the valve is sufficient
as long as the air pressure is slightly larger than the biasing
force of the two coil springs 23. Since the biasing force of the
two coil springs 23 can be reduced by the booster mechanism 30, the
air pressure required to open the valve may be low.
Thus, in the valve device 1 including the actuator 3 according to
the first embodiment, the booster mechanism 30 includes the
plurality of first levers 31 which are not deformed when the
biasing force (drive force) of the two coil springs 23 is
amplified. Each of the first levers 31 includes the effort portion
(inner end portion 31E) which receives the force from the spring
bearing portion 22A of the spring bearing member 22, the fulcrum
portion (outer end portion 31D) which comes into contact with the
lower surface 17F of the intermediate casing 17 to serve as a
center of the revolution of the first lever 31, and the load
portion (portion of the outer portion 31B which comes into contact
with the second projecting portion 33C) which transmits the force
to the moving member 15.
Such a configuration prevents each of the first levers 31 from
being deformed during the operation of opening/closing the valve
device 1. Specifically, each of the first levers 31 is not deformed
by repetitively receiving a stress, and an elastro-plastic region
which may be subjected to such micro-level plastic deformation as
to cause fatigue failure is not deformed. Accordingly, even when
the number of times the actuator 3 and the valve device 1 are
required to be opened/closed is ten million or more, it is possible
to provide the actuator 3 and the valve device 1 each having
durability and satisfying the requirement.
In addition, since the plurality of first levers 31 are held by the
first retainer 32, it is possible to improve the assemblability of
the actuator 3 and the valve device 1.
In addition, the drive part includes the piston 21 connected to the
spring bearing member 22 and the two coil springs 23 which bias the
spring bearing member 22 toward the moving member 15. In such a
configuration, the biasing force (drive force) of the coil springs
23 is amplified by the plurality of first levers 31. Consequently,
even when the biasing force of the coil springs 23 is small, it is
possible to push the diaphragm 11 against the pressure of the fluid
flowing in the inflow path 5b and cut off the communication between
the inflow path 5b and the outflow path 5c.
Also, in the valve device 1 including the actuator 3 according to
the first embodiment, the booster mechanism 30 includes the first
lever portion (six first levers 31), the transmission member 33,
and the second lever portion (six second levers 34). Each of the
first levers 31 is located between the spring bearing portion 22A
of the spring bearing member 22 and the transmission member 33 and
has the effort portion (inner end portion 31E), the fulcrum portion
(outer end portion 31D), and the load portion (portion of the outer
portion 31B which comes into contact with the second projecting
portion 33C). The transmission member 33 includes the force
receiving portion (second projecting portion 33C) which is located
between the first lever 31 and the second lever 34 and receives the
force from the load portion of the first lever 31 and a
transmission portion (third projecting portion 33E) which has the
same positional relationship with the force receiving portion as
the positional relationship of the effort portion of the first
lever 31 with the load portion thereof and transmits the force to
the second lever 34. Each of the second levers 34 has the effort
portion (inner end portion 34E), the fulcrum portion (outer end
portion 34D), and the load portion (portion of the inner portion
34A which comes into contact with the first projecting portion
15E).
In such a configuration, the third projecting portion 33E of the
transmission member 33 has the same positional relationship with
the second projecting portion 33C thereof as the positional
relationship of the inner end portion 31E of the first lever 31
with the outer portion 31B thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to
reduce a space in which a leverage structure including a plurality
of stages is disposed. Therefore, it is possible to provide the
actuator 3 and the valve device 1 each including the small-size and
high-magnification booster mechanism 30.
The drive part includes the piston 21 connected to the spring
bearing member 22 and the two coil springs 23 which bias the spring
bearing member 22 toward the moving member 15. In such a
configuration, the biasing force of the coil springs 23 is
amplified by the booster mechanism 30. Consequently, even when the
biasing force of the coil springs 23 is small, it is possible to
push the diaphragm 11 against the pressure of the fluid flowing in
the inflow path 5b and cut off the communication between the inflow
path 5b and the outflow path
Sc.
Next, a description will be given of an actuator and a valve device
each according to a second embodiment. Note that the same
components as those of the actuator and the valve device each
according to the first embodiment are given the same reference
numbers, and a description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a valve device 101 in
a closed state in the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
the valve device 101 is a diaphragm valve for use in a gas line
(e.g., on a most upstream side of the gas line) including the
plurality of fluid controllers of the fluid control apparatus 55
(see FIG. 13).
The valve device 101 includes the body portion 2 and an actuator
103. Note that the description will be given below on the
assumption that the actuator 103 is on an upper side of the valve
device 101, while the body portion 2 is on a lower side of the
valve device 101.
The actuator 103 includes the casing 10, the retaining adapter 12,
the diaphragm retainer 13, the rod 14, a moving member 115, the
drive part 20, and the first to fourth O-rings 4A to 4D.
The moving portion 115 is supported in the lower end portion of the
bonnet 16 to be vertically movable.
Next, a description will be given of a booster mechanism 130 and
the moving portion 115.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the vicinity of
the booster mechanism 130. FIG. 8 is a perspective view
illustrating a state in which the booster mechanism 130 and the
moving portion 115 are assembled. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective
view of the booster mechanism 130 and the moving portion 115. FIG.
10A is a side view of each of first levers 134 (second levers 138).
FIG. 10B is a side view of each of first transmission members 137.
FIG. 10C is a side view of each of second transmission members
115A.
The booster mechanism 130 includes a first boosting portion 131, a
first transmission portion 132, and a second boosting portion 133.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, over the moving portion 115, the second
boosting portion 133, the first transmission portion 132, and the
first boosting portion 131 are stacked in this order.
The first boosting portion 131 includes the six first levers 134
and a first support member 135.
The six first levers 134 are independent of each other, have the
same shape, and are equidistantly arranged around the second
downwardly extending portion 22C along a circumferential direction
of the actuator 103. Each of the first levers 134 is formed of a
metal (e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like and
has hardness which keeps the first lever 134 from being deformed
(distorted) during an operation of opening/closing the valve device
101 described later. In other words, each of the first levers 134
functions as a rigid body against the operation of opening/closing
the valve device 101.
Each of the first levers 134 includes an inner portion 134A and an
outer portion 134B and has a shape tapered from the outer portion
134B toward the inner portion 134A. The outer portion 134B is
connected to the inner portion 134A so as to be bent upwardly.
As illustrated in FIG. 10A, each of the first levers 134 has an
upper surface 134C and a lower surface 134D. Each of the respective
portions of the upper surface 134C and the lower surface 134D
forming the inner portion 134A and the outer portion 134B has a
planar shape.
Each of outer end portions 134E and inner end portions 134F of the
first levers 134 extends so as to be parallel with a tangential
direction of a circle around an axis of the actuator 103. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the first levers 134 have the outer end
portions 134E in line contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17 and the inner end portions 134F facing the
individual surfaces of the regular hexagonal prism of the second
downwardly extending portion 22C to be in line contact with the
lower surface 22G of the downwardly protruding portion 22F.
The first support member 135 is formed of an elastic material
having flexibility such as rubber, has a substantially hexagonal
annular shape in plan view, and has an insertion hole 135a formed
therein. To the respective portions of the substantially hexagonal
shape of the first support member 135 corresponding to the
individual sides thereof, the respective inner portions 134A of the
first levers 134 are bonded via an adhesive or the like. Thus, the
six first levers 134 and the first support member 135 are
integrated with each other.
Into the substantially hexagonal insertion hole 135a of the first
support member 135, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in
the form of the regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the
insertion hole 135a has a size slightly larger than that of the
outer shape of the second downwardly extending portion 22C, the
rotation of the first boosting portion 131 relative to the second
downwardly extending portion 22C is suppressed.
The first transmission portion 132 is located under the first
boosting portion 131 and includes a ring member 136 and the six
first transmission members 137. The six first transmission members
137 correspond to a first transmission portion.
The ring member 136 is formed of, e.g., a metal (e.g., stainless
steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like, has an annular shape, and
has a regular hexagonal insertion hole 136a formed therein. The
ring member 136 has a downwardly tapered outer peripheral surface
136B.
Into the regular hexagonal insertion hole 136a of the ring member
136, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in the form of the
regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the insertion hole 136a
has a size slightly larger than that of the outer shape of the
second downwardly extending portion 22C, the rotation of the ring
member 136 relative to the second downwardly extending portion 22C
is suppressed.
Each of the first transmission members 137 is formed of a plate
material made of, e.g., a metal (e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a
ceramic, or the like, and has hardness which keeps the first
transmission member 137 from being deformed (distorted) during the
operation of opening/closing the valve device 101. The first
transmission members 137 are independent of each other and have the
same shape. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, each of the first
transmission members 137 has an upper surface 137A and a lower
surface 137B. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the individual first
transmission members 137 are equidistantly arranged around the
second downwardly extending portion 22C along the circumferential
direction of the actuator 103. The respective upper surfaces 137A
of the first transmission members 137 are bonded to the outer
peripheral surface 136B of the ring member 136 via an adhesive or
by brazing or welding. As a result, each of the first transmission
members 137 is inclined with respect to an axial direction of the
actuator 103 to have an upper end portion 137C thereof located
radially outward of a lower end portion 137D thereof.
Each of the upper end portions 137C and the lower end portions 137D
of the first transmission members 137 extends so as to be parallel
with the tangential direction of the circle around the axis of the
actuator 103. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first transmission
members 137 have the upper end portions 137C in contact with the
lower surfaces 134D of the outer portions 134B of the first levers
134 and have the lower end portions 137D facing the individual
surfaces of the regular hexagonal prism of the second downwardly
extending portion 22C. The first transmission members 137 are also
configured to be tapered with distance from the upper end portions
137C toward the lower end portions 137D. The upper end portions
137C of the first transmission members 137 correspond to a first
contact portion.
The second boosting portion 133 is located under the first
transmission portion 132 and has the six second levers 138 and a
second support member 139. The six second levers 138 and the second
support member 139 have the same configurations/shapes as those of
the six first levers 134 and the first support member 135.
Specifically, each of the second levers 138 is formed of a metal
(e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like and has
hardness which keeps the second lever 138 from being deformed
(distorted) during the operation of opening/closing the valve
device 101 described later and includes an inner portion 138A and
an outer portion 138B. Each of outer end portions 138E and inner
end portions 138F of the second levers 138 extends so as to be
parallel with the tangential direction of the circle around the
axis of the actuator 103. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, each of the
second levers 138 has an upper surface 138C and a lower surface
138D. Each of the respective portions of the upper surface 138C and
the lower surface 138D forming the inner portion 138A and the outer
portion 138B has a planar shape.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second levers 138 have the outer end
portions 138E in line contact with the lower surface 19B of the
protruding portion 19A of the support ring 19, while the lower end
portions 137D of the first transmission members 137 are in line
contact with the upper surfaces 138C of the inner end portions 138F
of the second levers 138. The lower end portions 137D of the first
transmission members 137 correspond to a second contact
portion.
The second support member 139 is formed of an elastic material
having flexibility such as rubber, has a substantially hexagonal
annular shape in plan view, and has an insertion hole 139a formed
therein. To the respective portions of the substantially hexagonal
shape of the second support member 139 corresponding to the
individual sides thereof, the respective inner portions 138A of the
second levers 138 are bonded via an adhesive or the like. Thus, the
six second levers 138 and the second support member 139 are
integrated with each other.
Into the substantially hexagonal insertion hole 139a of the second
support member 139, the second downwardly extending portion 22C in
the form of the regular hexagonal prism is inserted. Since the
insertion hole 139a has a size slightly larger than that of the
outer shape of the second downwardly extending portion 22C, the
rotation of the second boosting portion 133 relative to the second
downwardly extending portion 22C is suppressed.
The moving portion 115 includes the six second transmission members
115A and a moving member 115B. The six second transmission members
115A correspond to a second transmission portion.
The six second transmission members 115A have the same
configurations/shapes as those of the six first levers 134 except
that the sizes of the six second transmission members 115A are
smaller than those of the six first levers 134.
Specifically, each of the second transmission members 115A is
formed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel), a resin, a ceramic, or
the like and has hardness which keeps the second transmission
member 115A from being deformed (distorted) during the operation of
opening/closing the valve device 101 described later and includes
an inner portion 115C and an outer portion 115D. Each of outer end
portions 115G and inner end portions 115H of the second
transmission members 115A extends so as to be parallel with the
tangential direction of the circle around the axis of the actuator
103. As illustrated in FIG. 10C, each of the second transmission
members 115A has an upper surface 115E and a lower surface 115F.
Each of the respective portions of the upper surface 115E and the
lower surface 115F forming the inner portion 115C and the outer
portion 115D has a planar shape.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second transmission members 115A have
the outer end portions 115G in line contact with the lower surfaces
138D of the inner portions 138A of the second levers 138, while
having the inner end portions 115H facing the individual surfaces
of the regular hexagonal prism of the second downwardly extending
portion 22C. The outer end portions 115G of the second transmission
members 115A correspond to a third contact portion.
The moving member 115B is formed of a metal (e.g., stainless
steel), a resin, a ceramic, or the like and includes a cylindrical
base portion 115J and a protruding portion 115K.
The cylindrical base portion 115J has a lower surface thereof
capable of pushing the rod 14. The protruding portion 115K is
provided around an outer peripheral edge of an upper surface of the
cylindrical base portion 115J so as to protrude upwardly and
outwardly in a radial direction. The protruding portion 115K has an
annular shape to form a recessed portion 115m. To an upper surface
115N of the protruding portion 115K, the six second transmission
members 115A are fixed via an adhesive or by brazing, welding, or
the like so as to be equidistant from each other along the
circumferential direction of the actuator 103.
Next, a description will be given of the operation of
opening/closing the valve device 101.
FIG. 11A is a plan view of the booster mechanism 130 and the moving
portion 115 when the valve device 101 is in the closed state, and
FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view along a line XI-XI in FIG. 11A.
FIG. 12A is a plan view of the booster mechanism 130 and the moving
portion 115 when the valve device 101 is in an open state, and FIG.
12B is a cross-sectional view along a line XII-XII in FIG. 12A.
Note that, in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B, illustration of the
first support member 135 and the second support member 139 is
omitted.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the valve device 101 is in the
closed state, the drive fluid has not entered the fluid inlet
chamber 21d, and the spring bearing member 22 is downwardly biased
by the two coil springs 23 to be located at the lowermost end. When
the valve device 101 shifts from the open state illustrated in
FIGS. 12A and 12B to the closed state illustrated in FIGS. 11A and
11B, the inner end portion 134F of each of the first levers 134 is
pushed by the lower surface 22G of the downwardly protruding
portion 22F to cause the first lever 134 to revolve around the
outer end portion 134E in contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17. As a result, the upper end portions 137C of
the first transmission members 137 in contact with the first levers
134 from below are pushed downward to downwardly move the ring
member 136 and the first transmission members 137.
As a result of the downward movement of the first transmission
members 137, the inner end portion 138F of each of the second
levers 138 is pushed by the lower end portion 137D of the first
transmission member 137, and consequently the second lever 138
revolves around the outer end portion 138E in contact with the
lower surface 19B of the protruding portion 19A of the support ring
19. As a result, the outer end portions 115G of the second
transmission members 115A in contact with the second levers 138
from below are pushed downward to downwardly move the moving member
115B of the moving portion 115.
Since the moving member 115B downwardly pushes the rod 14 and the
rod 14 downwardly pushes the diaphragm retainer 13, the diaphragm
11 is pushed to come into contact with the valve seat 5D and cut
off the communication between the inflow path 5b and the outflow
path 5c. Note that, since each of the first support member 135 and
the second support member 139 is formed of an elastic material, as
a result of the revolution of each of the first levers 134 and the
second levers 138, each of the first support member 135 and the
second support member 139 is deformed so as to increase/reduce
respective diameters of an outer peripheral portion and an inner
peripheral portion of each of the first support member 135 and the
second support member 139.
In the second embodiment, the two coil springs 23 are configured
such that a force (drive force) to push the spring bearing portion
22A of the spring bearing member 22 is boosted by the booster
mechanism 130 to push the moving member 115. Specifically, the
force is boosted by the principle of leverage using a contact
portion A3 of the outer end portion 134E of each of the first
levers 134 in contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17 as a fulcrum point, using a contact portion
B3 of the inner end portion 134F of the first lever 134 in contact
with the lower surface 22G of the downwardly protruding portion 22F
as an effort point, and using a contact portion C3 of the outer
portion 134B of the first lever 134 in contact with the upper end
portion 137C of the first transmission member 137 as a load point,
and the boosted force is transmitted to the first transmission
member 137. Thus, the inner end portion 134F of the first lever 134
corresponds to an effort portion, the outer end portion 134E of the
first lever 134 corresponds to a fulcrum portion, and the portion
of the outer portion 134B of the first lever 134 in contact with
the upper end portion 137C of the first transmission member 137
corresponds to a load portion.
The force is further boosted by the principle of leverage using a
contact portion A4 of the outer end portion 138E of each of the
second levers 138 in contact with the lower surface 19B of the
protruding portion 19A of the support ring 19 as a fulcrum point,
using a contact portion B4 of the inner end portion 138F of the
second lever 138 in contact with the lower end portion 137D of the
first transmission member 137 as an effort point, and using a
contact portion C4 of the inner portion 138A of the second lever
138 in contact with the outer end portion 115G of the second
transmission member 115A as a load portion, and the boosted force
is transmitted to the moving member 115. Note that the inner end
portion 138F of the second lever 138 corresponds to an effort
portion, the outer end portion 138E of the second lever 138
corresponds to a fulcrum portion, and the portion of the inner
portion 138A of the second lever 138 in contact with the outer end
portion 115G of the second transmission member 115A corresponds to
a load portion.
Thus, the two coil springs 23 are configured such that the biasing
force thereof is boosted by the booster mechanism 130 to push the
moving member 115. Accordingly, even when the biasing force of the
two coil springs 23 is small, it is possible to push the diaphragm
11 against the pressure of the fluid flowing in the inflow path 5b
and cut off the communication between the inflow path 5b and the
outflow path 5c.
In addition, as a result of introduction of the drive fluid into
the fluid inlet chamber 21d via the fluid inflow path 18a and the
fluid inlet path 21e, an upward force resulting from an air
pressure acts on the piston 21 and on the spring bearing member 22.
This force is increased to be larger than the biasing force of the
two coil springs 23 to upwardly move the piston 21 and the spring
bearing member 22. As a result, there is no force pushing the
moving member 115B, and consequently the diaphragm 11 is lifted by
each of the pressure of the fluid flowing in the inflow path 5b and
a restorative force of the diaphragm 11 to move away from the valve
seat 5D and open the valve.
At this time, as a result of the lifting of the diaphragm 11, the
diaphragm retainer 13 and the rod 14 are lifted, and the moving
member 115 is also lifted. Consequently, as illustrated in FIGS.
12A and 12B, each of the second levers 138 is pushed upward by the
outer end portion 115G of the second transmission member 115A to
revolve around the outer end portion 138E thereof, and the inner
end portion 138F is lifted. As a result, the lower end portion 137D
of the first transmission member 137 is pushed upward by the inner
end portion 138F of the second lever 138, and each of the first
levers 134 is pushed upward by the upper end portion 137C of the
first transmission member 137 to revolve around the outer end
portion 134E thereof, and the inner end portion 134F is lifted.
Note that, as the air pressure required to open the valve, an air
pressure slightly larger than the biasing force of the two coil
springs 23 is sufficient. Since the biasing force of the two coil
springs 23 can be reduced by the booster mechanism 130, the air
pressure required to open the valve may be low.
As described above, in the valve device 101 including the actuator
103 according to the second embodiment, the first boosting portion
131 includes the plurality of first levers 134, and the plurality
of first transmission members 137 corresponding to the first
transmission portion are provided correspondingly to the plurality
of first levers 134. Each of the first levers 134 has the effort
portion (inner end portion 134F) which receives the force from the
spring bearing member 22, the fulcrum portion (outer end portion
134E) which comes into contact with the lower surface 17F of the
intermediate casing 17 to serve as the center of the revolution of
the first lever 134, and the load portion (portion of the outer
portion 134B which comes into contact with the upper end portion
137C of the first transmission member 137) which transmits the
force to the first transmission member 137. Each of the first
transmission members 137 has the first contact portion (upper end
portion 137C) which comes into line contact with the load portion
of the first lever 134.
In such a configuration, each of the first transmission members 137
comes into line contact, not point contact, with the first lever
134. This can prevent the force from being concentrated on the
respective portions of the first lever 134 and the first
transmission member 137 which are in contact with each other.
Consequently, even when the number of times the actuator 103 and
the valve device 101 are required to be opened/closed is, e.g., ten
million or more, it is possible to provide the actuator 103 and the
valve device 101 each having excellent durability and satisfying
the requirement.
Also, in the valve device 101 including the actuator 103 according
to the second embodiment, the second boosting portion 133 includes
the plurality of second levers 138 provided correspondingly to the
first transmission members 137, and the plurality of second
transmission members 115A corresponding to the second transmission
portion are provided correspondingly to the plurality of second
levers 138. Each of the second levers 138 has the effort portion
(inner end portion 138F) which receives the force from the first
transmission member 137, the fulcrum portion (outer end portion
138E) which comes into contact with the lower surface 19B of the
protruding portion 19A of the support ring 19 to serve as the
center of the revolution of the second lever 138, and the load
portion (portion of the inner portion 138A which comes into contact
with the outer end portion 115G of the second transmission member
115A) which transmits the force to the second transmission member
115A. Each of the first transmission members 137 has the second
contact portion (lower end portion 137D) which comes into line
contact with the effort portion of the second lever 138. Each of
the second transmission members 115A has the third contact portion
(outer end portion 115G) which comes into line contact with the
load portion of the second lever 138.
In such a configuration, each of the first transmission members 137
comes into line contact, not point contact, with the second lever
138. This can prevent the force from being concentrated on the
respective portions of the second lever 138 and the first
transmission member 137 which are in contact with each other.
Likewise, each of the second transmission members 115A comes into
line contact, not point contact, with the second lever 138. This
can prevent the force from being concentrated on the respective
portions of the second lever 138 and the second transmission member
115A which are in contact with each other.
Consequently, even when the number of times the actuator 103 and
the valve device 101 are required to be opened/closed is, e.g., ten
million or more, it is possible to provide the actuator 103 and the
valve device 101 each having excellent durability and satisfying
the requirement.
Next, a description will be given of the fluid control apparatus 55
in which the valve devices 1 and 101 described above are to be used
and of a semiconductor manufacturing device 60 including the fluid
control apparatus 55.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the semiconductor manufacturing
device 60. For example, the semiconductor manufacturing device 60
is a CVD device which includes a gas supply part 50 including the
fluid control apparatus 55, a vacuum chamber 70, and an exhaust
part 80 and forms a passivation film (oxide film) over a wafer.
The gas supply part 50 includes a gas supply source 51, a manometer
52, and the fluid control apparatus 55. The fluid control apparatus
55 has a plurality of gas lines formed of a plurality of fluid
controllers and includes, as the fluid controllers, open/close
valves 53 and 54 and mass flow controllers (MFCs) 1 to 4. Between
the gas supply part 50 and the vacuum chamber 70, an open/close
valve 61 is provided. The vacuum chamber 70 includes a mounting
table 71 for mounting thereon a wafer 72 and an electrode 73 for
forming a thin film over the wafer 72. The vacuum chamber 70 is
connected to a commercial power source 62. The exhaust part 80
includes an exhaust pipe 81, an open/close valve 82, and a dust
collector 83.
When a thin film is formed over the wafer 72, by opening/closing
the open/close valves 53, 54, and 61 and using the MFCs 1 to 4, a
supply of the gas to the vacuum chamber 70 is controlled. When a
powder and granular material generated as a by-product during the
formation of the thin film over the wafer 72 is to be removed, the
open/close valve 82 is brought into an open state, and the powder
and granular material is removed by the dust collector 83 via the
exhaust pipe 81.
To the open/close valves 53, 54, 61, and 82, the valve devices 1
and 101 according to the embodiments described above can be
applied. As described above, each of the valve devices 1 and 101
has the excellent durability, and accordingly it is possible to
provide the fluid control apparatus 55 having excellent durability.
In addition, since the valve devices 1 and 101 include the
actuators 3 and 103 having the small-size booster mechanisms 30 and
130, it is consequently possible to reduce the size of the fluid
control apparatus 55.
While the description has been given heretofore of the case where
the semiconductor manufacturing device 60 is the CVD device, the
semiconductor manufacturing device 60 may also be a sputtering
device or an etching device. The etching device (dry etching
device) includes a processing chamber, a gas supply part (fluid
control apparatus), and an exhaust part and processes a surface of
a material or the like using a corrosive action exerted by a
reactive gas. The sputtering device includes a target, a vacuum
chamber, a gas supply part (fluid control apparatus), and an
exhaust part and deposits a film over a surface of a material.
Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments
described above. It will be understood by those skilled in the art
that a variety of additions, modifications, and the like are within
the scope of the present disclosure.
For example, the booster mechanism 30 in the embodiment described
above includes the six first levers 31, the first retainer 32, the
transmission member 33, the six second levers 34, and the second
retainer 35. However, the booster mechanism 30 may also include
only the six first levers 31 and the first retainer 32 or include
only the six first levers 31. The number of the first levers 31
included in the booster mechanism 30 is six, but it is sufficient
that the number of the first levers 31 included in the booster
mechanism 30 is not less than two.
While the booster mechanism 30 includes the six first levers 31,
the first retainer 32, the transmission member 33, the six second
levers 34, and the second retainer 35, the booster mechanism 30
need not necessarily include the first retainer 32 and the second
retainer 35. While each of the first lever portion and the second
lever portion includes the six members independent of each other,
the six first levers 31 or the six second lever 34 may also have an
integral structure in which the six first levers 31 or the six
second levers 34 are connected at respective inner peripheral edges
or outer peripheral edges thereof. In this case, the first lever 31
or the second lever 34 may also be formed of a material such as a
metal or a resin which is deformed with the movement of the spring
bearing member 22 and the transmission member 33.
Meanwhile, the booster mechanism 130 in the embodiment described
above includes the first boosting portion 131, the first
transmission portion 132, and the second boosting portion 133.
However, the booster mechanism 130 may also include only the first
boosting portion 131 and the first transmission portion 132 or
include only the first boosting portion 131. When the booster
mechanism 130 includes only the first boosting portion 131 and the
first transmission portion 132, it may also be possible that the
lower end portions 137D of the first transmission members 137 push
the inner portions 115C of the second transmission members 115A or
the moving portion 115 is not provided with the six second
transmission members 115A and the lower end portions 137D of the
first transmission members 137 push the protruding portion 115K of
the moving member 115B.
The number of the first levers 134 included in the first boosting
portion 131 is six, but it is sufficient that the number of the
first levers 134 included in the first boosting portion 131 is not
less than two. It is sufficient that each of the number of the
first transmission member 137, the number of the second levers 138,
and the number of the second transmission members 115A is the same
as the number of the first levers 134.
The two coil springs 23 are used as the biasing part, but a disc
spring may also be used as the biasing part. The two coil springs
23 are configured to be provided under the piston 21 and bias the
spring bearing member 22, but the two coil springs 23 may also be
configured to be provided over the piston 21 and bias the spring
bearing member 22 from above the piston 21.
In the embodiments described above, the drive part is configured to
include the piston 21 and the two coil springs 23, but the drive
part may also be configured otherwise. Also, in the embodiment
described above, the actuator 3 is configured to include the
retaining adapter 12, the diaphragm retainer 13, and the rod 14,
but the actuator 3 need not necessarily include the retaining
adapter 12, the diaphragm retainer 13, and the rod 14. The valve
seat 5D is formed of the same metal material as that forming the
body 5, but the valve seat 5D may also be formed of an embedded
annular sheet made of a resin.
* * * * *